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13 January 20254 min reading
Turkey’s wheat import ban leads to sharp decline in flour exports
The wheat import ban, which began in Turkey in June of last year, has impacted the Turkish flour industry, which has held the title of world flour export leader for years.
11 January 20252 min reading
Saudi Arabia launches Yanbu Grain Terminal to strengthen food security and trade
Saudi Arabia has officially opened the Yanbu Grain Handling Terminal, marking a significant step in the Kingdom's efforts to fortify food security, enhance agricultural trade, and promote public-private partnerships.
07 January 20252 min reading
Alapala expands global reach with 23 turnkey projects in 2024
Alapala, one of the world leaders in the field of grain, feed and pasta process technologies, has reinforced its strong position in the sector.
03 January 20253 min reading
What shaped 2024 grain markets and what will drive agricultural trends in 2025?
As the calendar turns to 2025, the global agricultural markets have entered the new year with relative stability, following a calmer 2024 compared to the dramatic disruptions witnessed just two years ago due to the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
Cover Story
COVER STORY
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13 December 202411 min reading
Innovations in sustainable flour packaging: Preserving quality, extending shelf life, and enhancing convenience
In this era of sustainability, the packaging of grain flours is being redefined to balance the protection of product quality with eco-conscious practices.
13 December 20242 min reading
Innovations in packaging
The flour packaging sector is experiencing rapid innovation, driven by evolving consumer demands, regulatory pressures, and the growing emphasis on environmental sustainability.
08 November 20249 min reading
Flour mill analysis and adjustment methods
Maintenance and machine adjustment in milling operations is fundamental to the success of flour production.
07 November 20241 min reading
Mastering maintenance and machine adjustment in milling operations
Maintenance and machine adjustment in milling operations is fundamental to the success of flour production.
Interview
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17 December 20248 min reading
Eastern Europe’s path to resilient grain logistics through strategic partnerships
The Russia-Ukraine war has significantly disrupted Black Sea grain logistics, reshaping trade flows, sparking infrastructure investments, and altering market strategies.
13 December 20248 min reading
Why technical analysis remains key to understanding volatile grain markets
Speaking exclusively to Miller Magazine, Eddie Tofpik, a master of technical analysis with nearly four decades of experience, reveals the art of interpreting price action, the importance of historical benchmarks, and the strategies needed to handle volatile grain markets in a time of global uncertainties.
07 November 20246 min reading
War and Wheat: How global conflicts threaten grain supply chains
In a world increasingly shaped by geopolitical tensions and conflicts, Dennis Voznesenski’s new book, War and Wheat: Navigating Markets During Global Conflict, offers a timely and insightful analysis of the agricultural sector’s response to war.
01 November 20246 min reading
War, Grain, and Flour: The current state of Ukraine's flour milling industry
In the face of war and economic instability, Ukraine's agricultural sector is facing serious challenges.
Article
ARTICLE
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13 December 20246 min reading
Pulses in the spotlight
At this year’s Global Grain Geneva conference, pulses took center stage as a special topic for the first time, underscoring their growing importance in sustainable agriculture and food security.
13 December 202424 min reading
The world’s agri-traders gather at Global Grain Geneva: Key insights and market trends shaping the future of agri-commodities
The Global Grain Geneva 2024, hosted by Fastmarkets, concluded successfully from November 12 to 14, attracting over 800 delegates from across the world.
08 November 20248 min reading
Safety first in grain processing: Protecting grain facilities for a stable food supply
Combustible dust safety in the grain industry is an ongoing challenge that requires continuous attention and improvement.
08 November 20246 min reading
The invisible backbone of superior grain and food processing
In the ever-evolving sphere of industrial food and feed processing, the role of advanced weighing and dosing systems is of profound importance.
Country Profile
COUNTRY PROFILE
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08 November 202413 min reading
Brazil’s Agricultural Landscape: Crop trends, export stats and logistics challenges
As Brazil enters a new planting season, SA Commodities Associate Director Luiz Carlos Santos Jr. provides an in-depth analysis of Brazil’s grain and oilseed landscape.
10 October 20245 min reading
Japan struggles with rice shortfall amid surging prices
Japan is experiencing a shortage of rice, leading to escalating prices and widespread empty shelves in supermarkets, as demand has outstripped supply.
12 September 20249 min reading
Turkey’s new roadmap in grain industry
Grains form the backbone of Turkey’s agricultural production, standing out as an indispensable resource for both plant and animal production.
11 July 20249 min reading
Pakistan’s grain outlook
According to the USDA’s latest June Pakistan country report, wheat production for the marketing year 2024/25 (May-April) is expected to reach a record 31.4 million metric tons (MMT), which is eleven percent higher than last year’s production of 28.2 MMT.
Technology Platform
TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM
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12 August 20249 min reading
Adapting grain management strategies to meet a changing world
In an industry where innovation meets necessity, CESCO EPC GmbH stands out as a model of invention and resilience.
10 June 20244 min reading
Growing global demand fuels innovation in grain logistics
In an interview during the recent IDMA Istanbul Expo, Mehmet Büyükzeren, the General Manager of Yılmaz Kardeş Hydraulic Machinery Industry Co., shares his insights on the critical role of logistics in the global grain trade and the increasing demand for advanced unloading platforms.
10 June 20244 min reading
Turkish milling machinery sector seeks export funding boost
One of our significant visits at the IDMA Expo was Çift Kartal, a stalwart in the milling machinery industry with over half a century of experience.
04 June 20245 min reading
Maxi-Lift’s focus on EAME and APAC markets highlighted at IDMA Expo
In an interview during the IDMA EXPO in Istanbul, André Rigo, International Sales Director of DuraPlas/Maxi-Lift Inc., shared insights on the company’s journey, recent innovations, major projects, and the future of the grain processing industry.
Market Analysis
MARKET ANALYSIS
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16 December 202415 min reading
Grain market in 2024: Resilience amid turbulence
The grain market of 2024 was a journey through highs and lows, marked by shifting trade policies and unpredictable weather that tested the industry’s resilience.
01 November 20249 min reading
China’s 2024/25 corn imports: Low-lower-the lowest?
The corn season 2024/25 has started in Ukraine. The country is waiting for Chinese demand, but there are no signs of revival. In the 2023/24 MY (October-September), China already reduced its imports of Ukrainian corn to 4.6 MMT vs 5.5 MMT in the previous season.
10 October 20247 min reading
Turkey’s new wheat import rules & world weather woes
Implementation of Turkish wheat import ban on 21 June 2024 was a heavy bearish factor for Black Sea wheat and freight market.
06 September 20248 min reading
Ukrainian wheat export: From tradition to transition
Ukraine has faced significant challenges in maintaining its traditional markets in North Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia – particularly in Egypt, Turkey, and Indonesia – since the onset of the war.
Idma Today
IDMA TODAY
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11 June 20245 min reading
IDMA Today and BBM Mutfak bring dynamism and flavors to IDMA
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09 May 20243 min reading
TABADER hosts 5th Doyens Award Night
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08 May 20244 min reading
IDMA Istanbul hosts pulse of grain processing industry with 10,000 visitors from 120 countries
The global grain processing industry convened in Istanbul. The domestic sector, specializing in flour, grain, feed, pulses production equipment, and milling machinery, crucially exporting 90 percent of its output, gathered with over 10,000 professionals from 120 countries at the 10th IDMA Istanbul.
04 May 20242 min reading
Turkish-Moroccan flour industry bond strengthened at IDMA Expo
In an exclusive interview during the IDMA Expo in Istanbul, Moulay Abdelkadir Alalaoui, President of the Moroccan Flour Milling Federation (FNM), provides a comprehensive overview of the state of flour milling in Morocco and its relationship with Turkey.

BLOG

Grain and Flour Market in Ukraine

08 March 20176 min reading

Ukraine is one of the leading producers and exporters of wheat, barley and corn in the world. According to data of U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS), Ukraine which has 24,7 million tons of wheat production in 2014/15 season reached 27,2 million tons in 2015/16 season. But, first predictions about 2016/17 point out that wheat production will decrease in the country and realize around 26,8 million tons.

Ukraine which is the largest country entirely within Europe with its area, has a worldwide presence in the production and trade of cereal products. The country, which realized 20-25 million tons wheat production, 25-30 million tons corn production and 9-10 million tons barley production every year, is home to more than 1,300 mills. But the contraction in the domestic market and especially in the decline in consumption are pushing flour producers. In this process, some producers find solution giving importance to the overseas market, some small-scale businesses lose power and withdraw from the market.

THE IMPORTANCE OF GRAIN PRODUCTION IN UKRAINE Ukraine is one of the 10 largest wheat producers in the world. According to data of U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS), the country which realized 24,7 million tons wheat production in 2014/15 season, alone realized 4 percent of world wheat production. But, USDA points out that wheat production will decrease in the country and realize around 26,8 million tons in January and February forecast.

Reports of International Grains Council (IGC) and UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) support forecast of USDA. According to data of International Grains Council (IGC) in February, it predicts that Ukraine’s wheat production amount will be 1 million tons (26,8 million tons), fewer than the previous year. FAO’s report estimates this decline as 2 million tons (26 million tons). The country used 45 percent of wheat (12,3 million tons in 2015/16 season) for domestic consumption and exported the remain.

Ukraine, which has a voice in the production of corn as it is in wheat, realized 28,4 million tons of corn production in 2014/15 season according to USDA data. The country which realized 23,3 million tons of production in 2015/16 season with a decline of 4 million , ranks 7th in the world corn production. But unlike wheat, the forecast for Ukraine’s corn production in 2016/17 is high. USDA reports predict that the country’s corn production will increase 28 million tons next season. IGC’s February report supports this forecast.

As mentioned above, another prominent product in Ukraine’s grain production is barley. According to data of USDA, Ukraine which ranks 3rd in the World barley production in 2014/15 season with 9,4 million tons, didn’t keep this production amount and it declined 800 thousand tons. But, despite this, it rose to 2nd in world ranking with 8,7 million tons of production. According to the data of USDA, Ukraine’s barley production will be 9,9 million tons with an increase amount of 1,2 million in 20106/17 season.

GRAIN TRADE IN UKRAINE Ukraine which is one of the world’s 10 largest exporters, dominates the prices in the world grain market. According to the data of USDA, Ukraine which exports 11,2 million tons of wheat, flour and products increased this amount to 17,4 million tons in 2015/16 season and ranked 6th in world wheat, flour and products export. In 2016/17 season, forecasted export amount for the country is 16,5 million tons as parallel to decline in production. IGC’s February report supports this and forecast for 2016/17 is 15,7 million tons. According to the data of FAO, the export amount is lower with 15 million tons.

Ukraine which usually ranks 3rd in world corn export, exports 20 million tons corn in 2103/14 season. But, in the next seasons corn export decreased as parallel to decline in production. According to the USDA’s report, Ukraine corn export which decline 19,6 million tons continued to decline and remained 16,5 million tons. For 2016/17 season, USDA predicts an increase of 1,2 million tons (18,7 million tons). But, it seems that reaching the amount in 2013/14 season is not impossible.

Country’s barley export continues to rise. According to the data of USDA, Ukraine’s barley export which is 4,3 million tons in 2014/15 season, has risen to 4,6 million tons. Ukraine which ranks 3rd in world barley export will be continued this success and increase its export amount to 5 million tons in 2016/17 season.

MILLING INDUSTRY IN UKRAINE High wheat production is an important contribution to the development of milling industry in Ukraine. But, Ukraine’s domestic wheat consumption is sliding down due to a decreasing population as well as loss of governmental control over the Crimean Peninsula and parts of the territories in Eastern Ukraine. Flour mills in Ukraine are running at approximately 30% of their capacity, and millers are trying to balance shrinking domestic consumption with exports. Small scale enterprises loss their power and withdrawn from the market.

The Union Millers of Ukraine President Rodion Rybchinsky said “1310 enterprises reported about their production of flour in Ukraine, but only 426 of them were classified as the permanent ones. In 2012, the number decreased to 365. To date there is the pool consisting of 30-40 companies being the leaders of industry. Some of them have already clarified the position for working for domestic market only, the other ones consider themselves as the export-oriented ones.

According to Rybchinsky, the companies are developing following their own purposes and market tasks they are being oriented on. So nearly 10-20 enterprises annually leave the market. Thus sooner or later the total number of grain processing enterprises producing flour and cereals will not exceed 100.

FLOUR INDUSTRY IN UKRAINE According to the USDA report, Ukraine’s domestic wheat consumption is sliding down due to a decreasing population as well as loss of governmental control over the Crimean Peninsula and parts of the territories in Eastern Ukraine. Flour mills in Ukraine are running at approximately 30 percent of their capacity, and millers are trying to balance shrinking domestic consumption with exports.

A fall in domestic bread consumption is forcing Ukrainian millers to increasingly sell to international markets. For market year 2015-16, Ukraine exported 365,000 tonnes of wheat flour and products, an increase of almost 30 percent compared to the previous market year. The major growth destinations are East and Southeast Asian countries. According to the report, the major consumer of Ukrainian flour for this region remains North Korea, which is importing both directly as well as transshipping the commodity through China.

Flour production is referred to the unlicensed business activity, but at the same time, the industry is under constant supervision by the authorities to ensure the food safety control, and the state structures supervising fire and explosion safety of production.

According to statistical data for 2011, 1310 enterprises reported about their production of flour in Ukraine, but only 426 of them were classified as the permanent ones. In 2012, the number decreased to 365 of the permanent enterprises.